“Young Master Xue, you just returned to the country and might not know that Xiaoman not only talks interestingly but also sings and dances well,” Ning Yumei interjected. “If you like, she can perform for you.”
“Really?” Xue Chenyan looked expectantly at Lin Xiaoman.
“Why not perform right now?” Ning Yumei’s eyes were full of provocation.
“Sorry, I have a management contract and can’t perform casually,” Lin Xiaoman smiled at her. “Didn’t you know that, sister?”
“Oh, right,” Ning Yumei realized, “You’ll be busy with schedules and definitely won’t have time to chat with Young Master Xue in the future.”
“Ah,” Xue Chenyan looked troubled, “What can I do…”
“Young Master Xue can pay to help her terminate the contract,” Ning Yumei’s smile was full of malice. “As long as the money is enough, she’ll be willing to do anything.”
“Is that possible?” Xue Chenyan looked excited.
“Of course. Look how pitiful she is, wearing a fake Ocaus earring. If the money is enough, she won’t have to embarrass herself wearing a fake earring at such an occasion.”
“Is it the limited edition from last year?” Xue Chenyan’s gaze also fell on her ears.
“Yes, supposedly bought by a foreign wealthy man, so the one she’s wearing is definitely fake,” Ning Yumei said confidently.
But…” Xue Chenyan’s expression was somewhat confused, “This seems to be true.”
“Nowadays, fake goods are even more real than genuine ones. At most, it’s just a 99-yuan free shipping item. Young Master Xue, don’t be deceived,” Ning Yumu said, raising an eyebrow at Lin Xiaoman’s calm and confident look. “Do you think you can fool anyone? Everyone here can see through you!”
“Oh.” A meaningful sound suddenly rang out, “Are you saying I’ve been fooled too?”
Ning Yumu saw Ji Zhixian and blushed first, then remembered his relationship with Lin Xiaoman. Ji Zhixian had certainly seen these earrings, and Lin Xiaoman had definitely told him they were genuine.
Ning Yumu hurriedly provoked, “Yes, President Ji, you can’t be deceived by her. She doesn’t speak a single truth, and the earrings are definitely fake!”
“You’re the first person to doubt me,” Ji Zhixian glanced lightly, yet with a pressure that made it hard to breathe.
Ning Yumu explained with difficulty, “President Ji, you don’t know how cunning she is…”
Lin Xiaoman, seeing her lack of reaction, kindly explained, “How could I afford something so expensive? Of course, it was a gift.”
Ning Yumu’s face turned pale – they were actually given to her by Ji Zhixian!
She glared fiercely at Lin Xiaoman and then looked at Ji Zhixian with guilt.
“Ning Yumu felt like she’d been slapped. Her face turned extremely ugly, and she didn’t even know how the situation ended. She just watched the perfectly matched pair walk away, and her companions had also left her.
A few people nearby who had heard the commotion seemed to cast mocking glances.
When Lin Xiaoman and Ji Zhixian left the party, their smiles were still uncontrollable.
Ji Zhixian had seen her confront Ning Yumu before, even threaten her, but this time, without even saying a harsh word, she was as happy as a child.
Ji Zhixian couldn’t help but ask, “You’re this happy?”
“Didn’t you see Ning Yumu’s expression? How delightful!”
Ji Zhixian didn’t say anything; he didn’t want to dampen the mood.
Lin Xiaoman happily jumped forward a few steps, walking backwards while looking at Ji Zhixian: “You know, I could say a thousand things, but your two sentences would hurt more.”
“I’m just stating facts.”
Lin Xiaoman shook her head, “President Ji, you really don’t understand a woman’s heart…”
Ji Zhixian raised an eyebrow.”
“Too many people like me,” Ji Zhixian said indifferently.
“What about you?” Lin Xiaoman suddenly asked, “Who do you like?”
Over the years, there had never been any rumors about Ji Zhixian. Lin Xiaoman had known him for a long time and had never seen him close to anyone, whether male or female.
Even when he said he would keep her, their relationship remained completely platonic.
Ji Zhixian looked at her, momentarily stunned: “That’s not a question you should ask.”
“I’m not interested anyway,” Lin Xiaoman turned, stepping in high heels and striding forward. But because of her foot pain, she lost her balance and stumbled.
Ji Zhixian quickly reached out and held her in his arms.
The late summer night carried a slight coolness. Ji Zhixian’s body radiated warmth, his breath and clean fragrance were so distinct.
And his deep, gentle gaze.
Lin Xiaoman’s heart skipped a beat.
She pushed Ji Zhixian away, steadying herself, and said defiantly, “No matter who you like, just don’t like me.”
“Don’t worry,” Ji Zhixian looked directly at her, “I absolutely will not like you.”
Still as unlikeable as ever.
“That’s good,” she proudly lifted her head.
At the corner, she suddenly saw a strange man holding a black umbrella and dressed in black standing outside the crowd, quietly looking at her.
Lin Xiaoman looked over, and the man shyly averted his gaze, like someone who was shy.
Lin Xiaoman didn’t pay much attention and turned to enter the signing event venue.
The signing event started at nine in the morning and ended at five in the afternoon. They just needed to sit in the prepared spots and sign autographs and shake hands with fans.
The signing event was organized by Qiao An, the top agent under Ji Zhixian. Lin Xiaoman had seen this agent once when she was Tang Feifei.
It was said that she selected the artists she managed, and everyone she brought was at least a second-tier talent with works and popularity, and importantly, no scandals. Overall, she was an excellent agent.
This time, she was managing the entire girl group. If one could maintain a good relationship with her, it would be easier to navigate the entertainment industry. Lin Xiaoman knew Ji Zhixian was creating opportunities for her, but she didn’t have the chance to think about that now.
A signing event would exhaust all her energy, and by the end of the day, her face was stiff from smiling. The other members were no better, and even Wei Qinghuan, who had been shouting about going for hot pot after meeting, now looked dazed and wanted to return to the hotel to rest.
Returning to the hotel, Lin Xiaoman noticed that the man with the black umbrella was still standing outside.
Over the past few days, she could see this man every day, unchanged in his black clothes and black umbrella, with the same expression. He never entered the signing event to get an autograph or take a photo, just standing there.
On the third afternoon, a sudden heavy rain forced the cancellation of the signing event. Lin Xiaoman saw some fans who had come from out of town and were unaware of the situation, huddled outside the lobby. After signing for them, she had Xiao Bai arrange a car to take them back to the hotel.
While waiting in the lobby for the car Xiao Bai was calling, she noticed the man in black was still standing in the same spot. A strong wind blew the heavy rain, and the man was hidden in a white mist. When the wind subsided a bit, Lin Xiaoman saw that his umbrella seemed to have been blown apart.
The man stood alone in the heavy rain, unwilling to leave, looking pitiful.
After thinking for a moment, Lin Xiaoman borrowed an umbrella from the staff and walked over.
“Take this,” Lin Xiaoman helped him block the rain and handed over her umbrella.
The man shrank back a step, his eyes panicked, seemingly afraid.
“Be careful not to catch a cold,” Lin Xiaoman was about to tilt the umbrella towards him when a gust of wind blew, and the umbrella directly hit his head.
Lin Xiaoman thought he would run away, but instead, he steadied his umbrella and turned to block all the rain.
